Climbers not just 'rock jocks'

Thank you for covering the recent controversy over
the potential devastation of Oak Flats, a popular bouldering and
camping area just outside of Phoenix (HCN, 4/4/05: Rock jocks fight
a mining company).

But I am increasingly frustrated with
High Country News and its staff for portraying
climbers in a condescending manner. This is the third news story to
involve climbers in so many years, each referring to climbers or
boulderers as "rock jocks." The term "rock jock" implies an
insensitive, even stupid person who is in it for the rush. Many
climbers I know dedicate themselves to protecting and preserving
our public lands. Please stop stereotyping a large group of people
that you clearly do not understand just to print a clever title.